Sometimes we become so confused and paralyzed trying to choose between doing either this or that thing, that we end up doing neither this thing nor that! When the discussion of talents comes up, many people sincerely admit, “I don’t think I have a talent.” They muse, “I keep trying, but I don’t come up with anything.”
It could be true that our talents are not easily identified, but what do we do while we wait to discover our calling? I suspect the answer is the same as that for tidying up a cluttered room— Start with what is nearest to you!
John MacArthur in his book, Twelve Ordinary Men, describes Jesus’ disciples as, “men with unexceptional talents and average abilities”. But despite being ordinary, those men became the vanguard for Christ. Jesus did not seek out the talented, He chose 12 ordinary fishermen and tax collectors with no special talents except a willingness to serve Him. We might see ourselves in one of these personalities:
Simon Peter was a natural leader. He had a strong personality and the other disciples willingly followed him. His problem was his quick temper, impulsivity, and a filthy mouth. Many times in the scriptures Christ had to scold him. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, “Little Rock”, hoping to awaken him to who he could become.
James and John, “sons of thunder”, also fishermen, were intolerant, hot tempered, social climbers, who often acted before thinking. Interestingly, John the older brother, after being with Jesus, became the “apostle of love” who wrote profusely about humility, love for God, and for man.
Andrew was a quiet, introverted man who enjoyed introducing people to Jesus but was equally happy to step back into the shadows and let others shine.
Phillip was a skeptic, slow to accept people, doubted everything, and had a wait-and-see attitude.
Bartholomew had strong prejudices and elitist ideas, and at first questioned Jesus’ worthiness to be the Christ. He enjoyed quiet times studying the scriptures.
Matthew was a tax collector, a social outcast because he not only collected taxes for the enemy but he made sure to line his pocket by extortion.
Thomas, was known for his pessimistic look on life. He was a worrier. The glass was always half-empty, and everyone was to be suspect. However, when he loved it was committed and loyal.
Little is known of James “the less”, except that he was an ardent follower of Christ and a humble servant.
Thaddeus, a name that meant “breast child” was often seen as a “mamma’s boy”, maybe he was the youngest in his family and therefore pampered.
Simon the Zealot was a political terrorist! He sought to overthrow the Roman government through violent means and he always travelled with his dagger close at hand for sudden use.
Ironically, Judas Iscariot, meant “Jehovah leads”, but is remembered by the tragic appellation, “the one who betrayed Christ.” Despite Christ’s influence, his uncurbed ambition, greed, and love of money, brought him to a tragic end.
These twelve disciples are portrayed as ordinary men, with wide-ranging personality differences. They had strengths and weaknesses of ordinary people but with time, became the foundation members of the Christian church and the voices that have penetrated two centuries to bring us the Gospel of salvation.
If we would learn anything from these ordinary men it is that talent is not what is needed to be of service but a commitment to Christ and the question, “What is there to be done?”
It was in their committed walk with Christ that the disciples uncovered their talent. These ordinary men, leaving Jerusalem, took the gospel to far-flung places. Thomas ended up in India!
Today’s Goal: To submit my will to Christ, serve wherever I see a need, and allow Christ to reveal my talent.
A Wilderness Guidebook . . . 